Thoughts and Prayers…

After every mass shooting, the phrase “thoughts and prayers” is said by politicians, leaders, regular people, and more. Every single time. And it has me wondering.

What are the actual thoughts and prayers that people are saying? I’m honestly and genuinely curious. What are people thinking about and praying to God about when they say “thoughts and prayers.”

Or is it just an empty throw away line that people assume they are supposed to say, but then never actually think about or pray about the situation?

I’d like to ask the politicians to expand on what is meant by “thoughts and prayers.” What are the actual thoughts? What are the words of the prayers? And who are they praying to, because I’m not sure we are all praying to the same deity any more.

Is a thought about a tragedy, a crime, a horrible incident worth anything if it doesn’t lead to some kind of congruent action?

Do the supposed prayers actually matter if they don’t convict the person praying about such a terrible situation to faithful action?

In other words, I’m curious what the actual thoughts and words are that people are thinking and praying when they say “thoughts and prayers.” Action follow belief after all. We are wired to be congruent and consistent with our actual core beliefs — not our stated beliefs. The two could be the same, but often aren’t.

It leaves me wondering if the “thoughts and prayers” is actually nothing. Because that would be congruent and…